Named 2025 Big Brother of the Year, José reflects on the life-changing impact of mentorship
José’s journey with Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Houston began with a simple moment of inspiration. After seeing a mentor’s experience on social media, he felt called to give back. Having worked hard to build his own path, José saw mentorship as a way to pay that forward.
Nearly four years ago, he was matched with Joshua, and the connection was immediate. From their first in-person meeting, the relationship felt natural. They bonded through shared experiences and culture, creating a strong foundation that has continued to grow.
José approaches mentorship with intention. He focuses on exposure, often bringing Joshua into new environments such as college campuses, professional spaces, and community events. One message he consistently shares is that “there is no box,” meaning Joshua should not feel limited by what he sees around him or assumes is possible. By challenging those limits, José encourages him to think bigger about his future.
Their time together is both structured and organic. They attend sporting events, work out at the YMCA, and even take boxing classes together. They also spend time talking through real-life responsibilities, from school to preparing for adulthood. José has even begun guiding Joshua through next steps like learning to drive, helping him think ahead and plan for independence.
As a father of two daughters, José values the unique bond he has built with Joshua. He describes it as a relationship that carries a parental element, giving him the opportunity to guide a young man during important stages of growth.
One moment stands out. Around the holiday season, José intentionally planned an outing to celebrate Joshua, combining a belated birthday gift with Christmas. He encouraged him to pick out any pair of sneakers he wanted. In the middle of the store, Joshua became emotional and embraced him, sharing that no one had ever done something like that for him. For José, it was a powerful reminder that showing up with intention, even in simple ways, can mean everything.
Named Big Brother of the Year for 2025, José reflects on the experience with humility. “I thought I was signing up to impact his life,” he said, “but this has impacted mine just as much, if not more.”
